Product Overview
Our pH-neutral activated carbon(PSD-A0 S) is an acid-washed coconut shell grade made for POU drinking water filters, electroplating rinse water, and electronics manufacturing. It combines low ash content, high iodine adsorption, and a stable neutral effluent pH with no initial spike — eliminating the soluble minerals and alkaline residues that can alter sensitive process water chemistry.
With ash content below 3% and a pH range of 5–8, this grade retains the same high adsorption capacity as our standard food-grade coconut shell granular carbon (PSD-A0), while tightening quality control for industries sensitive to trace ionic contamination.
Key Application Areas
- POU & POE Drinking Water — Fits undersink and countertop filtration systems where pH-neutral effluent is desired, preventing alkaline drift in small-volume residential and commercial units.
- Beverage & Food Processing — Breweries, soft drink bottlers, and ingredient water systems benefit from the reduced mineral leaching and consistent adsorption kinetics.
- Electroplating Bath Circulation — Maintains bath chemistry stability by removing organic impurities without introducing acidic or alkaline excursions that could affect deposit quality.
- Ultra-Pure & Process Water — Supports secondary polishing in mixed-bed and carbon-filter trains where low extractable conductivity is specified.
Specifications
| Technical Specifications | PSD-A0 S | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Iodine Adsorption Value | >1000 | mg/g |
| Moisture Content | <10 | % -wt |
| Ash Content | <3 | % -wt |
| Bulk Density | >450 | kg/m³ |
| pH | 5-8 | - |
| Crush Strength | >95 | % |
| Specific Surface Area | >1000 | m²/g |
Available particle size
- 8×20 Mesh ( 0.85 ~ 2.36 mm)
- 8×30 Mesh ( 0.6 ~ 2.36 mm)
- 12×30 Mesh ( 0.6 ~ 1.7 mm)
- 20×40 Mesh ( 0.43 ~ 0.85 mm)
- 30×60 Mesh ( 0.25 ~ 0.6 mm)
- 80 ~ 200 Mesh ( 0.075 ~ 0.18 mm)
- Other customized particle sizes
Packaging
- 25 kg/Bag
- 500 kg/Bag
Key advantages
- Acid-Washed for pH Stability: The 5–8 pH range eliminates the need for post-treatment pH correction in POU devices and sensitive process loops, simplifying system design.
- Ultra-Low Ash Content: <3% ash minimizes the risk of particulate carryover and metal ion leaching, protecting downstream membranes, resins, and plated surfaces.
- Same High Adsorption Kinetics: Despite additional washing, iodine >1000 mg/g ensures rapid chlorine reduction and organic contaminant removal comparable to premium non-washed grades.
- Dual POE/POU Versatility: Performs equally well in high-flow municipal sidestreams and low-flow residential filters, reducing inventory complexity for distributors.
Why pH Stability Matters in POU & Electroplating Water
Standard coconut shell carbons naturally exhibit pH 8–11 due to residual alkaline minerals from the activation process. In point-of-use drinking water filters, semiconductor rinse water, and electroplating baths, this alkalinity can cause pH drift, conductivity spikes, and mineral leaching that compromise product quality and process stability. Acid washing is required, yet poorly executed washing can degrade micropore structure and reduce adsorption capacity.
Controlled extended acid washing overcomes this challenge by targeting soluble ash and alkaline residues without attacking the carbon pore network. The result is pH 5–8 with ash reduced below 3%, while iodine remains >1000 mg/g and surface area >1000 m²/g—ensuring that purity enhancements do not compromise performance. The neutral pH eliminates post-treatment correction in POU devices and protects sensitive downstream equipment such as RO membranes and ion exchange resins from alkaline excursions.
Acid-Washed Coconut Shell Carbon vs. Standard and Coal-Based Grades
Standard food-grade coconut shell granular carbon (PSD-A0) delivers the same high iodine and coconut shell hardness with pH 8–11, performing excellently in general POE and municipal drinking water where mild alkalinity is acceptable. For these applications, the additional cost of acid washing provides no practical benefit. Our acid-washed coal-based series (GAC S) offer pH-neutral alternatives at lower price points, yet their coal base inherently contains more leachable metals and exhibits lower hardness than coconut shell, potentially increasing fines and contamination risk in critical systems.
PSD-A0 S bridges this gap as an acid washed coconut shell carbon POU grade that combines coconut shell purity with acid-washed stability. Compared to standard PSD-A0, the pH 5–8 profile and <3% ash protect pH-sensitive processes without sacrificing the >1000 mg/g iodine foundation. Compared to coal-based acid-washed carbons, the coconut shell base maintains >95% hardness and lower inherent metals, reducing attrition and downstream contamination. Choose standard PSD-A0 for general drinking water and POE; select GAC S for budget-sensitive acid-washed applications; choose acid washed coconut shell carbon POU PSD-A0 S when the application demands both coconut shell purity and pH-neutral effluent in POU filters, electroplating baths, and electronics-grade water systems.
Customization & Supply
We supply acid-washed coconut shell carbon in standard and custom mesh sizes for POU filter cartridges and electroplating water systems, with a batch certificate of analysis covering ash, pH and iodine number. OEM cartridge manufacturers can request particle size ranges matched to automated filling lines. Contact us for samples and bulk pricing.